In the last few years California has established itself as the Mecca of international freestyle motocross. As the clock ticks down to the first stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour 2010 in Mexico City, we check out at what makes riding on the West Coat so special.

LOS ANGELES (USA) Robbie Maddison (AUS), Andrč Villa (NOR), Mat Rebeaud (SUI), Levi Sherwood (NZL), Taka Higashino (JPA), Blake Williams (AUS), Rob Adelberg (AUS), Nate Adams (USA), Jeremy Stenberg (USA), Cameron Sinclair (AUS) –the phonebooks for the towns of Temecula and Valencia are like a Who’s Who of the international freestyle motocross scene. The past few years have seen riders from quite literally all four corners globe come to the West Coast to settle in California, creating a concentration of FMX talent in one place unheard of in other sports.

Upon arriving in Temecula, it only takes a matter of seconds to recognise why so many FMX athletes have set up their base in this quiet town south of Sun City. A desert-like climate ensures plenty of sunshine all year round, while large swathes of land make it an ideal place to transform a humble back garden into the ultimate personal FMX playground. All of the major manufacturers also have their factories in the region, so picking up new parts after a heavy landing is only a matter of a few minutes drive down the road. By the way: it is rumoured that X-ray doctors in the region have a job for life!

Reigning Red Bull X-Fighters Champion Nate Adams explains why California is the place to be: “If you’re not here, you want to be here! If you want to be in the mix all of the time then you’ve got to live here.” Riding, training and chilling with the best in the world gives the athletes a unique chance to exchange tips and advice their peers and work on creating new tricks together.

Among the other top riders to have found a new home from home in the USA are Norwegian star Andrč Villa, 2008 Red Bull X-Fighters Champion Mat Rebeaud, multiple-world record holder Robbie Maddison, and X-Games hero Blake Williams.